Dubai Holding, the global investment holding company, in partnership with Jumeirah Emirates Towers, has announced that a record AED 335,000 was raised at the UAE’s leading Vertical Marathon today, in support of Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research. All proceeds from the event, which was organised in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council and other corporates, will support the Foundation’s medical research in the UAE on obesity.

Doubling the participation from last year, the 2015 edition saw 297 participants climb the 1,334 steps, 265 metres, 52 floors, to the top of Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ office building. The fastest female runner Emilie Rentsch reached the top in 11:50 minutes and the winning male runner, Paul Faulkner, ascended in 7:56 minutes. The fastest team, ‘3 and a half men’ completed the race in 11 minutes. The Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon is the sixth highest of its kind in the world after Taipei, Hanoi, Hong Kong, New York and Beijing.

The 13th edition of the Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon has seen the participation of H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), and Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), as well Dubai Holding’s management team led by Fadel Ali, Chief Operating Officer of the Company.

The Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon is a key component of Dubai Holding’s Corporate Wellness Programme, with participation from employees from across its companies, Jumeirah Group, TECOM Investments, Dubai Properties Group and Dubai International Capital. In addition to sponsoring the Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon in aid of Al Jalila Foundation, Dubai Holding has also contributed AED 5 million towards Al Jalila Foundation’s fund for obesity research in the UAE.

Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: "Al Jalila Foundation is proud to partner once again with Dubai Holding, a pioneer in promoting a healthy work environment for its employees and the wider community. The increase in lifestyle related diseases underscores the need for long-term funding for scientific research into the areas of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. All funds raised at the Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon will support obesity research, one of the major health issues in the UAE and the region. Developing medical research requires continuous investment and leads to life-changing discoveries and innovation, that further complements the positive steps that companies like Dubai Holding are taking to foster a fitter, healthier and more productive workforce."

The Dubai Holding Wellness Programme is a multi-disciplinary programme that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of employees and impact the wider community through balanced nutrition, physical activity, stress management and general health. Dubai Holding is also the title sponsor of Dubai Holding Women’s Run and one of the main sponsors of Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.

Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama

Al Jalila Foundation is proud to partner once again with Dubai Holding, a pioneer in promoting a healthy work environment for its employees and the wider community. The increase in lifestyle related diseases underscores the need for long-term funding for scientific research into the areas of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. All funds raised at the Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon will support obesity research, one of the major health issues in the UAE and the region. Developing medical research requires continuous investment and leads to life-changing discoveries and innovation, that further complements the positive steps that companies like Dubai Holding are taking to foster a fitter, healthier and more productive workforce.